U.S. patent number 5,722,891 [Application Number 08/399,922] was granted by the patent office on 1998-03-03 for slot machine having two distinct sets of reels.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Eagle Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Haruo Inoue.
United States Patent |
5,722,891 |
Inoue |
March 3, 1998 |
Slot machine having two distinct sets of reels
Abstract
A slot machine for playing games has a set of three normal
reels, with symbols arranged on their peripheries. The normal reels
are rotated in a normal game, and are stopped to determine a win,
in accordance with a combination of symbols of the normal reels
along a predetermined first winning line. A win is selected from a
normal win and a specific win. A bonus game is triggered when the
specific win is provided. There is at least one specific reel
having symbols which are arranged on its periphery. The specific
reel is rotated in the bonus game, and is stopped to determine the
win, in accordance with a symbol on the specific reel at a
predetermined winning position.
Inventors: |
Inoue; Haruo (Tokyo,
JP) |
Assignee: |
Eagle Co., Ltd. (Tokyo,
JP)
|
Family
ID: |
13337192 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/399,922 |
Filed: |
March 7, 1995 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
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|
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Apr 5, 1994 [JP] |
|
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6-067171 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
463/20;
273/143R |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F
17/34 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G07F
17/34 (20060101); G07F 17/32 (20060101); A63F
009/22 () |
Field of
Search: |
;463/20,21,25
;273/143R,138A ;364/412,410 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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59-193487 |
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Dec 1984 |
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JP |
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60-227787 |
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Nov 1985 |
|
JP |
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62-253091 |
|
Nov 1987 |
|
JP |
|
1-130384 |
|
Sep 1989 |
|
JP |
|
3-136683 |
|
Jun 1991 |
|
JP |
|
5237217 |
|
Sep 1993 |
|
JP |
|
7275432 |
|
Oct 1995 |
|
JP |
|
7313661 |
|
Dec 1995 |
|
JP |
|
2097160 |
|
Oct 1982 |
|
GB |
|
2153572 |
|
Jul 1985 |
|
GB |
|
2170636 |
|
Aug 1986 |
|
GB |
|
2226907 |
|
Jul 1990 |
|
GB |
|
Primary Examiner: Harrison; Jessica
Assistant Examiner: O'Neill; Michael
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Young & Thompson
Claims
I claim:
1. A slot machine in which a game is played to provide a win or a
loss, said win being one of plural kinds including a normal win, a
specific win, and a bonus win, said game being one of plural kinds
including a normal game and a bonus game, said bonus game being
allowed when said specific win is provided upon playing of a said
normal game, said slot machine comprising:
a first reel set, including P normal reels having symbols arranged
on their peripheries, P being at least two, said normal reels
rotating during a said normal game, said normal win or a said
specific win, in accordance with the combination of symbols on said
normal reels stopping along a predetermined first winning line
displayed in a first window; and
at least one specific reel having symbols arranged on its
periphery, said specific reel rotating during a said bonus game,
said specific reel stopping to display a said bonus win in a second
window spaced from said first window, in accordance with the
presence of at least one symbol on said specific reel in a
predetermined winning position.
2. A slot machine as defined in claim 1, further comprising:
a controller for selecting one of said normal game and said bonus
game;
a first driver section, connected to said controller, for driving
said normal reels respectively to rotate together when said normal
game is selected through said controller; and
a second driver section, connected to said controller, for driving
said at least one specific reel to rotate when said bonus game is
selected through said controller.
3. A slot machine as defined in claim 1, further comprising:
a first position detector device, associated with said normal
reels, for detecting respective stopped positions of said normal
reels, an address constituted by a combination of said stop
positions of said normal reels; and
a win table memory for storing data on said win at said address,
said controller accessing said win table memory at said address, to
determine the occurrence of a said win and said kind of said
win.
4. A slot machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said game is
played by betting a coin, coins are paid out when said win occurs,
and said specific win pays out a greater number of coins than said
normal win.
5. A slot machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said symbols
arranged around said specific reels are different from said symbols
arranged around said at least one normal reel.
6. A slot machine as defined in claim 3, wherein said at least one
specific reel comprises Q specific reels, Q being at least two,
said specific reels include a first specific reel and Q-1 second
specific reels, and together constitute a second reel set, and are
rotated together to play said bonus game.
7. A slot machine as defined in claim 6, wherein a controller
starts said Q specific reels rotating for said bonus game, stops
said first specific reel, and subsequently stops said second
specific reels, and said controller re-triggers said normal game
after playing of at least one said bonus game;
further comprising a second position detector device associated
with said Q specific reels, for detecting respective stopped
positions of said specific reels;
wherein said win table memory further stores data of said bonus win
and data of a combined bonus win, an address of said bonus win data
being a stopped position of said first specific reel, an address of
said combined bonus win data being a combination of said stopped
positions of said Q specific reels, and said controller determines
said bonus win and said combined bonus win, in accordance with said
detected stopped positions of said Q specific reels.
8. A slot machine as defined in claim 7, wherein a said bonus game
is played by betting a single coin, and said controller re-triggers
said normal game after playing of N bonus games, wherein N is a
predetermined number of at least one.
9. A slot machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said normal reels
and said at least one specific reel are rotated respectively about
horizontally oriented axes.
10. A slot machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said normal reels
are rotated about a horizontally oriented axis, and said at least
one specific reel is rotated about a vertically oriented axis.
11. A slot machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said at least one
specific reel has a diameter substantially equal to a diameter of
said normal reels, and has as many different symbols as said
symbols on said normal reels.
12. A slot machine as defined in claim 6, wherein P=Q, and said
normal reels and said specific reels are arranged in a 2.times.P
matrix.
13. A slot machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said at least one
specific reel has a diameter smaller than a diameter of said normal
reels, and has fewer different said symbols than said normal
reels.
14. A slot machine as defined in claim 6, wherein said first
winning line comprises plural lines, and said winning position is a
single line.
15. A slot machine as defined in claim 1, further comprising
a bonus game indicator, disposed closely to said second window, and
driven during a said bonus game, for indicating execution of said
bonus game.
16. A slot machine as defined in claim 15, wherein said bonus game
indicator includes at least one light-emitting diode.
17. A slot machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said specific win
is associated with at least one of a symbol combination comprising
P symbols of a said common kind and a symbol combination containing
at least one symbol of a said specific kind, said common kind and
said specific kind being included in said symbols on said normal
reels.
18. A method of controlling a slot machine, said slot machine
including P+Q reels having symbols arranged on their peripheries, P
being at least two and Q being at least one, said reels being
rotated to play a game, said reels being stopped to display a win,
in accordance with the combination of symbols on said reels
stopping along a predetermined winning line, said win comprising a
normal win or a specific win, said game comprising a normal win or
a specific win, said game comprising a normal game and a bonus
game, said bonus game being allowed when said specific win is
displayed, said slot machine control method comprising the steps
of:
rotating first the Pth ones of said reels together, to play said
normal game;
rotating (P+1)th to (P+Q)th ones of said reels together, to play
said bonus game; and
displaying the symbols on the winning line of the (P+1)th to
(P+Q)th ones of said reels in a display spaced from the first Pth
ones of said reels.
19. A slot machine control method as defined in claim 18, further
comprising the steps of:
storing data of a said win, an address of said win data being a
combination of stopped positions of said first to Pth reels, said
win being one of a normal win and a specific win;
detecting respective said stopped positions of said first to Pth
reels; and
determining said normal win or said specific win, in accordance
with said detected stopped positions of said first to Pth
reels.
20. A slot machine control method as defined in claim 18, wherein
said first to Pth reels are rotated about a common horizontal axis,
and said (P+1)th to (P+Q)th reels are rotated about a common
vertical axis.
21. A slot machine control method as defined in claim 18, wherein
said Q is an integer of at least 2.
22. A slot machine control method as defined in claim 18, further
comprising the step of stopping said (P+1)th reel while said
(P+1)th to (P+Q)th reels rotate together.
23. A slot machine control method as defined in claim 18, further
comprising the steps of:
detecting a stopped position of said (P+1)th reel; and
determining a bonus win, in accordance with said detected stopped
position of said (P+1)th reel.
24. A slot machine control method as defined in claim 18, further
comprising steps of:
stopping said (P+2)th to (P+Q)th reels after stopping of said
(P+1)th reel;
detecting respective stopped positions of said (P+2)th to (P+Q) th
reels; and
determining a combined bonus win, in accordance with said detected
stopped positions of said (P+1)th to (P+Q)th reels.
25. A slot machine including P+Q reels having symbols arranged on
their peripheries, P being at least two and Q being at least one,
said reels being rotated to play a game, said reels being stopped
to display a win, in accordance with a combination of symbols of
said reel stopping along a predetermined winning line, said win
comprising a normal win or a specific win, said game comprising a
normal game and a bonus game, said bonus game being allowed when
said specific win is displayed, said slot machine further
comprising:
means for rotating first to Pth ones of said reels together, to
play said normal game;
means for rotating (P+1)th to (P+Q)th ones of said reels together,
to play said bonus game; and
a window for displaying the symbols on the winning line of said
(P+1)th to (P+Q)th ones of said reels, said window being spaced
from the first to Pth ones of said reels.
26. The slot machine of claim 25 further comprising a periphery for
said window which is adapted to be illuminated when said bonus game
is to be played.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a slot machine. More particularly,
the present invention relates to a slot machine in which the
appearance and the operation of reels are so improved as to
heighten the player's interest in games played therewith.
2. The Prior Art
Slot machines are popular with game players no less than pinball
machines. A slot machine has a set of symbol-bearing reels, or a
CRT showing images of such rotary reels. At least one coin, token,
medal or other disk of a predetermined kind (hereinafter referred
to as a coin) is inserted into the slot machine, before a start
button or start lever is externally operated to start playing a
game. The reels and the like are rotated and then stopped according
to probability, which is responsive to depression of stop buttons,
or simply to a lapse of suitable time. A stopped combination of
symbols appears along a winning line defined across the front of
the reels. If the symbol combination as stopped is a specific
winning combination, a player is given one of the various wins
preset in the slot machine. With a win, the player is rewarded with
payment of a preset number of coins, which are two to fifteen.
There have been recent slot machines in which it is possible to
play not only the normal games but also bonus games, which have an
appearance and operation different from those of the normal games,
to attract players and heighten their interest in playing games.
Among plural kinds of wins ranked differently, there is a big win
or specific win, which can be given when a combination "7-7-7"
appears along a winning line. Upon the occurrence of the big win, a
great number of, for example 15, coins are paid out to the player.
One or more bonus games are played next.
To play a bonus game, the reels are used as in normal games. A
series of bonus games is executed in a manner as follows: a player
inserts a coin. The three reels are started rotating at the same
time. One of the three reels is stopped at first. If one of symbols
around the stopped reel which indicates a bonus win is stopped
along a winning line, then a bonus win is provided to pay out 15
coins to the player. Similar operations follow regarding the
remaining two reels. Namely, the rotation of each reel is
associated with the possibility of acquiring a bonus win.
Subsequently the player inserts another coin, and causes the three
reels to rotate. Then the series of bonus games is terminated when
twelve bonus games are played, or when six bonus wins are given in
less than twelve bonus games.
Playing a bonus game is far more advantageous than playing a normal
game, because as many as 15 coins can be paid out for a simple
stopping of one symbol on one reel before the remaining two reels
stop. In other words, a player playing a bonus game enjoys a
heightened probability of acquiring rewards over a normal game. The
player can collect coins in increased numbers when playing bonus
games. Accordingly, it is one of the greatest concerns to a player
of a slot machine whether he can play bonus games.
In conventional slot machines, however, the appearance of the reels
operated during bonus games is less spectacular and less attractive
visually than in normal games, as each bonus win is caused by
rotation of only a single reel. Although playing a bonus game is
quite advantageous to a player, the less dramatic appearance of the
reels in bonus games belies the advantageous situation of the
player. Thus the conventional manner of operation in bonus games is
likely to less then player's interest in playing games or the
satisfaction of acquiring wins.
In conventional slot machines, the reels are provided with symbols
used in normal games, including PLUM and LEMON, and bonus symbols,
which are overlapped on PLUM, LEMON and the like, and used in bonus
games to represent a bonus win, in such form as JAC or AAA. The
reels thus have an excessively complicated appearance due to the
combination of symbols for normal games and for bonus games. It is
difficult for beginning players to discern those symbols. The
conventional reels are disadvantageous also because of the
difficulties of modifying the routines of bonus games if a designer
of a slot machine has a new concept of bonus games for the purpose
of seeking to impart further attractiveness to the slot
machine.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing problems, an object of the present
invention is to provide a slot machine of highly attractive
appearance in which bonus games can be played.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a slot
machine in which the routine of executing a bonus game can be
freely modified when the designer of the slot machine has a new
concept of bonus games.
In order to achieve the above and other objects and advantages of
this invention, a game is played in a slot machine to provide a win
or loss, the win being one of plural kinds including a normal win,
a specific win, and a bonus win. The game itself is also of plural
kinds, including a normal game and a bonus game. A bonus game is
allowed when a specific win occurs upon playing a normal game. A
first reel set includes P normal reels of which the symbols are
arranged on the periphery. The normal reels are rotated for a
normal time. The normal reels are stopped to determine the normal
win or the specific win, in accordance with a combination of
symbols of the normal reels along a predetermined first winning
line. At least one specific reel has symbols, which are arrange on
the periphery thereof. The specific reel is rotated in the bonus
game. The specific reel is stopped to determine the bonus win, in
accordance with whether a symbol on the specific reel stops on a
predetermined second winning line.
In a preferred embodiment, the slot machine includes P+Q reels.
First to Pth ones of the reels are rotated together, to play a
normal game. (P+1)th to (P+Q) th ones of the reels are rotated, to
play a bonus game.
In the present invention, bonus games can be played with a highly
attractive appearance. The routine of executing a bonus game can be
freely modified when the designer of the slot machine has a new
concept of bonus games.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above objects and advantages of the present invention will
become more apparent from the following detailed description when
read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a slot machine of the
present invention;
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating circuitry of the slot
machine of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a main routine of operation of
the slot machine, including a normal game;
FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a subroutine of the slot
machine for a bonus game;
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating other preferred sets of
reels, of which specific reels are enlarged together with an
enlarged window for the specific reels; and
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating still other preferred
sets of reels, of which specific reels are horizontally
rotatable.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In FIG. 1 illustrating a slot machine of the present invention, a
display window 2 is formed in a front panel for normal reels 5a to
5c to be rotated in a normal game. A display window 3 is formed
above the display window 2 for specific reels 6a to 6c to be
rotated in a bonus game or specific game, which is enabled if a
predetermined condition is met.
Behind the display window 2, the three normal reels 5a to 5c are
disposed in rotatable fashion about their horizontal shafts. The
normal reels 5a to 5c constitute a first reel set, which is used in
normal games. Behind the display window 3, the three specific reels
6a to 6c are disposed in rotatable fashion about their horizontal
shafts. The specific reels 6a to 6c constitute a second reel set,
which is used in bonus games. The periphery of each of the normal
reels 5a to 5c and 6a to 6c has symbols. Inside the display window
2, three symbols on each of the normal reels 5a to 5c appear at a
time externally. Inside the display window 3, one symbol on each of
the specific reels 6a to 6c appears at a time externally.
A window frame 2a surrounding the window 2 and a window frame 3a
surrounding the window 3 consist of covering members of white
translucent plastic, and normal game indicator or bonus game
indicator 34 (see FIG. 2) is incorporated behind the covering
members. The normal or bonus game indicator consists of
light-emitting diodes (LED). When playing a normal game with the
normal reels 5a, 5b and 5c of the first reel set, the indicator in
the window frame 2a is blinked to indicate visually the play of a
normal game. When playing a bonus game with the specific reels 6a,
6b and 6c of the second reel set, the indicator in the window frame
3a is blinked to indicate the play of a bonus game. The LEDs in the
window frame 3a illuminate in a single color, while the LEDs
comprising bonus game indicator 34 in the window frame 3a are
operated to illuminate in plural different colors. Accordingly the
indication of a bonus game is more conspicuous than that of a
normal game.
In the first reel set, 21 symbols are formed on each of the normal
reels 5a to 5c, and include "7" and "CHERRY" and other fruits as
illustrated in the drawings. As is common in conventional slot
machines, a win is given when the reels are so stopped that three
identical symbols are stopped along a validated winning line, which
may be included in plural winning lines across the display window
2. Regarding the symbol CHERRY, a win is given differently, i.e.
given when one or two CHERRYs are stopped along a validated winning
line. On the specific reels 6a to 6c of the second reel set, there
are formed four kinds of symbols and eight symbols, which are SUN,
MOON, STAR and "blank" appearing respectively twice. None of the
symbols SUN, MOON, STAR and "blank" is included in the first reel
set.
The specific reels 6a, 6b and 6c of the second reel set have a
smaller diameter than the normal reels 5a to 5c of the first reel
set. Each of the specific reels 6a to 6c has a smaller number of
symbols than those around the normal reels 5a to 5c. For the
specific reels 6a to 6c of the second reel set, a single winning
line is defined horizontally across the arrangement of the specific
reels 6a to 6c. In a bonus game, the combination of symbols stopped
along the winning line is automatically checked. If it coincides
with a certain winning combination, then a win is given. In a bonus
game, the specific reels 6a to 6c of the second reel set are
stopped one after another. If a symbol other than the "blank" is
stopped on the winning line, then a bonus win is given. The
probability of a bonus win is higher than for any win associated
with a normal game. Upon the stopping of all the specific reels 6a
to 6c, if there are two identical symbols other than "blank" on the
winning line, then a combined bonus win is given.
In the front panel of the slot machine, there are disposed a coin
inlet slot 7, a start lever 8 and stop buttons 9a, 9b and 9c. There
are marks 1, 2 and 3 disposed beside the display window 2 and
associated with the five winning lines. Behind the marks of 1, 2
and 3, line indicating lamps 33 (see FIG. 2) are incorporated.
Prior to the start of a normal game, one, two or three coins are
inserted into the inlet slot 7. In response, the line indicating
lamps 33 are selectively driven to illuminate the marks 1, 2 and 3
in association with the number of validated winning lines. When one
coin is inserted, only the mark 1 is illuminated for one validated
winning line. When two coins are inserted, the marks 1 and 2 are
illuminated for three validated winning lines. When three coins are
inserted, the marks 1, 2 and 3 are illuminated for five validated
winning lines, inclusive of the three horizontal ones and two
diagonal ones. The inlet slot 7 is used also prior to playing bonus
games.
There is a credit-play button 10, which is depressed after a great
number of coins are inserted into the inlet slot 7. One depression
of the credit-play button 10 instructs the slot machine to play one
coin by spending one of the inserted coins. A player can recognize
the decrement of the inserted coins by checking an indicator 11,
which indicates the present number of the inserted coins. If a
command is entered to credit coins, the number of the credited
coins is so controlled as to add the number of paid coins to the
number of the credited coins. When a pay-out button 12 is
depressed, all the credited coins are dispensed into a receptacle
tray 13.
The start lever 8 is enabled to operate after insertion of the
coin. Actuation of the start lever 8 starts the normal reels 5a to
5c rotating simultaneously for normal games, or starts the specific
reels 6a to 6c rotating simultaneously for bonus games. The stop
buttons 9a to 9c are enabled as soon as the normal reels 5a to 5c
or 6a to 6c come to rotate at a constant speed after acceleration.
When each of the stop buttons 9a to 9c is depressed, the reel
associated with the depressed button is responsively stopped.
FIG. 2 illustrates circuitry of the slot machine. The normal reels
5a, 5b and 5c are directly driven by respective stepping motors
15a, 15b and 15c. The specific reels 6a, 6b and 6c are directly
driven by respective stepping motors 16a, 16b and 16c. Counters 18a
to 18c and 19a to 19c are associated with the respective stepping
motors 15a to 15c and 16a to 16c, and count the drive pulses with
which the stepping motors are supplied by drivers 20a to 20c and
21a to 21c. Each of the counters 18a to 18c and 19a to 19c has a
count terminal C and a reset terminal R, by which the count in the
counter is reset to zero upon movement of the stepping motor past
its original position.
The arrangement of the symbols around the reels of the first and
second reel sets is predetermined. One predetermined kind of symbol
is associated with an original position of each stepping motor.
When each reel is stopped, the count of the counter for the stopped
reel is inputted into an MPU (microprocessor unit) 25, which
electrically discerns which of the symbols is stopped along
validated winning lines.
The MPU 25 generally controls the execution of the games in
accordance with a gaming program stored in a program ROM 26. The
MPU 25 is supplied with signals from a coin sensor 28, a start
signal generator 29, and a stop signal generator 30. The coin
sensor 28 detects a coin inserted into the inlet slot 7. The start
signal generator 29 responds to operation of the start lever 8 to
generate the start signal. The stop signal generator 30 responds to
operation of the stop buttons 9a, 9b and 9c to generate the stop
signal.
The MPU 25 refers to data stored in a win table memory 31 during
the games, and supplies drive signals to a coin dispenser 32, the
line indicator lamps 33 and a bonus game indicator 34. The table
memory 31 stores win combination data representing win combinations
of symbols in association with normal wins as a result of normal
games, and numbers of reward coins in association with the win
combination data. The table memory 31 also stores win combination
data representing win combinations of symbols in association with
bonus wins as a result of bonus games, and numbers of reward coins
in association with the win combination data. The win table memory
31 is referred to by the MPU 25 to determine wins.
The coin dispenser 32 is driven upon an occurrence of a win for a
game, and dispenses coins in a number associated with the size of
the win to deposit them in the receptacle tray 13. The line
indicator lamps 33 indicate which of the winning lines are
validated in association with the number of inserted coins for the
start of a normal game. The bonus game indicator 34 is driven when
bonus games are trigger, and emits illumination by way of LEDs in
the window frame 3a to indicate the play of a bonus game.
The operation of the above slot machine is described by referring
further to the flow charts in FIGS. 3 and 4. A player inserts at
most three coins through the inlet slot 7, and moves the start
lever 8 to start a normal game. The normals reels 5a, 5b and 5c of
the first reel set are started rotating simultaneously, and the
rotational speed accelerates until the normal reels 5a to 5c rotate
at their constant high speed. The stop buttons 9a to 9c are
enabled. Then the stop buttons 9a to 9c are depressed in any order
desired by the player. The depression of the buttons stops the
supply of drive pulses for the stepping motors, to stop the reels.
Note that, if the stop buttons 9a to 9c are never depressed during
rotation of the reels 5a to 5c, the reels are automatically
stopped, because drive pulses to the motors 15a to 15c are stopped
upon counting up in a timer. This avoids unduly prolonging the
duration of each game as played.
When all the normal reels 5a to 5c are stopped, there is made a
judgment regarding the occurrence and the size of a win. As is
described above, the counts in the counters 18a to 18c are read by
the MPU 25. The data stored in the win table memory 31 for normal
games is referred to, for detection of a normal win or loss, and
the kind of the normal win. If a loss is detected, then the game is
ended without any further step. If a normal win is detected, coins
of which the number is associated with the kind of the normal win
are paid out, to end the game.
As a result of win detection of the normal game, a "big" win is
given as a specific win when a symbol combination "7-7-7" is
stopped on a validated winning line. A predetermined number of,
e.g. 15, coins are paid out, before triggering of a bonus game as
illustrated in FIG. 4. The number of the coins paid out for the big
win is predetermined to be greater than that for a normal win. It
is to be noted that, in addition to "7-7-7", a big win or specific
win can be provided in response to the stopping of a single
specific symbol: each reel 5a to 5c can have a symbol "BIG". When
at least one BIG is stopped on a validated winning line,
responsively a big win can be determined.
When a bonus game is started, the bonus game indicator 34 is
actuated to illuminate through the window frame 3a. The window
frame 3a illuminates in visibly distinct plural colors, to display
the occurrence of the bonus game so conspicuously, that not only
the player at the slot machine but also other players and
attendants around him are informed of the bonus game. In this way,
the player about to play the bonus game is given great
satisfaction.
To start a bonus game, one coin is inserted. The start lever 8 is
operated. The specific reels 6a to 6c of the second reel set are
started rotating simultaneously. The stop buttons 9a to 9c are
depressed as desired by the player, to stop the second reel set,
reel after reel. If the stop buttons 9a to 9c are never depressed,
the specific reels 6a to 6c are stopped automatically upon counting
up of the timer, in the same manner as for a normal game.
One of the reels of the second reel set is stopped. In response to
this, the MPU 25 reads the count of the counter associated with the
stopped reel among the counters 19a to 19c, and refers to data
stored in the win table memory 31 for the bonus game, to detect the
occurrence of a bonus win. On the specific reels 6a to 6c of the
second reel set, there are formed eight symbols, which are SUN,
MOON, STAR and "blank" appearing respectively twice. If a symbol
other than "blank" is stopped on the winning line, then a bonus win
is given. For a bonus win with the SUN symbol, 15 coins are paid
out. For a bonus win with the MOON symbol, 10 coins are paid out.
For a bonus win with the STAR symbol, five coins are paid out. It
is of course possible to predetermine the numbers of the coins for
those bonus wins differently as desired.
When all the reels of the second reel set are stopped, the MPU 25
further refers to data stored in the win table memory 31, and
detects a symbol combination of the specific reels 6a to 6c stopped
along the winning line. If at least two identical symbols other
than "blank" are stopped along the winning line, then coins are
paid out as a reward for a combined bonus win. If at least two SUNs
are stopped, 30 coins are paid out. If at least two MOONs are
stopped, 20 coins are paid out. If at least two STARs are stopped,
10 coins are paid out. It is possible to predetermine the numbers
of the coins for those combined bonus wins differently as
desired.
Thereupon, the first bonus game played with the one coin is ended.
Then coins are successively inserted, to play three other bonus
games in similar fashion. In other words, four bonus games are
played in all. The number of the four games is predetermined as
programmed in the flow chart of FIG. 4 at the step of "N.rarw.4".
It is possible differently to predetermine the number of the bonus
games as desired. Furthermore, it is possible to predetermine
plural kinds of big wins or specific wins to occur upon playing
normal games. With the different kinds of specific wins, it is
possible to associate different numbers of playable bonus
games.
When four bonus games are ended, the bonus game indicator 34 is
turned off. The bonus game arrangement is placed on standby for a
normal game. In the bonus games, the probability of winning is
higher than for normal games. The player will thus be likely to be
rewarded with a greater number of coins. The second set of the
specific reels 6a to 6c is marked for bonus games differently from
the first set of the normal reels 5a to 5c for normal games, that
is, the symbols provided for the second reel set are different from
those of the first reel set, and are of types unfamiliar to players
in gaming halls. Accordingly, the slot machine has a special
interest for players playing games with it. In the present
invention, bonus games are played with specific reels that are
exclusive to the bonus games, which are also useful in further
predetermining other variants of bonus games.
Referring to FIG. 5, another preferred embodiment of the present
invention will now be described. Under the display window 2, there
is formed another display window 40, which has a size equal to the
display window 2 and is used for bonus games. There are reels 41a
to 41c behind the display window 40 specific to bonus games. The
specific reels 41a to 41c have a diameter equal to that of the
normal reels 5a to 5c of the first reel set, and are also rotatable
about a horizontal axis. The peripheries of the specific reels 41a
to 41c are provided with symbols, which are used in bonus games,
and are as many in number as the first reel set. Three of the
symbols on each specific reel are observable through the display
window 40. Three horizontal winning lines are defined across the
display window 40 for the bonus games. All the winning lines are
rendered effective in playing bonus games.
The embodiment of FIG. 5 has plural winning lines for bonus games.
It is thus possible to heighten the probability of bonus wins and
combined bonus wins. As compared with the former embodiment, the
specific reels 41a to 41c can be provided with a greater number of
symbols. It is possible to increase the kinds of symbols specified
for bonus games, to enhance interest in the game. It is possible in
addition to the horizontal winning lines to define two diagonal
winning lines, in a manner similar to those for the reel set of
normal games.
FIG. 6 illustrates another preferred embodiment characterized by a
vertically elongated display window 45 which is formed beside the
display window 2. Reels 46a to 46c for bonus games are rotatable
about a vertical rotational axis. The embodiment of FIG. 6
heightens the interest of the player playing bonus games, as the
specific reels 46a to 46c for the bonus games are rotated
differently from the normal reels 5a to 5c. It is of course
possible to widen the display window 45 horizontally to a size
wherein three of the symbols on each specific reel appear
simultaneously. In FIG. 6, only one winning line is depicted.
However, plural winning lines can also be formed by horizontally
widening the display.
In the above embodiments, the slot machine has three normal reels
for normal games. The present invention is however applicable to a
slot machine having four or more normal reels for normal games. In
the above embodiments, the slot machine has three specific reels
for bonus games. The present invention is however applicable to a
slot machine having one, two, four or more specific reels for bonus
games. In the above embodiments, the specific reels for bonus games
are as many in number as the normal reels for normal games.
Alternatively, it is possible for bonus games to use a different
number of normal reels from the number of specific reels for normal
games. If fewer specific reels for bonus games are used, an
advantage is the reduction of the space required for incorporation
of the specific reels for bonus games. Such a slot machine will
thus not be excessively large. It is possible to modify the size,
position and orientation of the specific reels for bonus games as
desired by design of the slot machine.
In the above embodiments, the triggering of the bonus games is
conditioned to occur upon stopping of "7-7-7" along a winning line
of the normal reels. Alternatively, the triggering of the bonus
games can be conditioned differently. The bonus games may be
triggered upon stopping of one particular symbol (such as "BIG") on
one of the winning lines. It is further possible to vary the
symbols around the reels. In the above, there is no symbol common
to the reels for the bonus games and the normal games. However it
is possible for variant specific reels to include some of the
symbols for the normal games. Symbols "7" can be included on the
reels for bonus games. It is possible to set an extraordinarily big
win which can be given on the occurrence of the stopped combination
of "7-7-7" on the normal reels with the stopped combination of
"7-7-7" on the specific reels. For the extraordinarily big win,
hundreds of coins may be paid out.
The present invention is also applicable to a slot machine which
has only one stop button, and in which the three reels can be
stopped at different moments successively after manual depression
of the stop button. It is possible to design the slot machine such
that the stop button must be depressed three times, or can be
depressed only once, to trigger the stopping of the three
reels.
The present invention is also applicable to a slot machine which
does not have any stop button, and in which the reels are
automatically stopped at random.
Although the present invention has been fully described by way of
the preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the
accompanying drawings, various changes and modifications will be
apparent to those having skill in this field. Therefore, unless
otherwise these changes and modifications depart from the scope of
the present invention, they should be construed as being included
therein.
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